Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cincinnati to Louisville

Crossing three states, the Ohio River Scenic Byway stretches nearly a thousand miles. Follow the river downstream from Cincinnati to Louisville, where you can check out Derby City’s Old Louisville SpringFest, a daylong street festival that will have a “Parisian Flea Market” and gourmet food vendors—not to mention a bourbon tent!

Where to Stop: Louisville’s hottest hotel is the 90-room 21c Museum Hotel, which has a $10 million collection of artwork, photos, and video installations, plus the popular Proof on Main restaurant.

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America's Best Spring Drives

Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cincinnati to Louisville

Crossing three states, the Ohio River Scenic Byway stretches nearly a thousand miles. Follow the river downstream from Cincinnati to Louisville, where you can check out Derby City’s Old Louisville SpringFest, a daylong street festival that will have a “Parisian Flea Market” and gourmet food vendors—not to mention a bourbon tent!

Where to Stop: Louisville’s hottest hotel is the 90-room 21c Museum Hotel, which has a $10 million collection of artwork, photos, and video installations, plus the popular Proof on Main restaurant.

America's Best Spring Drives

By
Briana Fasone
March 29, 2012

Remember when Dorothy dozes off among scarlet poppies in The Wizard of Oz? Well, those vivid flowers weren’t just a figment of Hollywood magic. Similar poppies set California’s Antelope Valley ablaze in spring, luring road-trippers from L.A. and beyond.

The arrival of spring inspires us to break out from winter’s hibernation and embrace the fresh outdoors. A road trip naturally satisfies that spontaneous travel urge, and we’ve mapped America’s best spring drives—routes that bring you up-close to nature’s finest floral displays, from a California poppy tour to Texas Hill Country’s bluebonnets.

Of course, flowers in bloom aren’t the only draw for these American road trips, many of which meander by woodlands, lakes, small quaint towns, even historic mansions and museums. Consider Colorado’s 232-mile San Juan Skyway, which takes visitors up melting snowcapped mountains, past natural hot springs, and through restored ghost towns. It’s an officially designated American Byway, one of nine we’ve featured, among them, Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway in South Carolina.

Road trips are an American pastime, and you don’t need to travel far to enjoy some of spring’s loveliest drives—these routes start at 25 miles—and free smartphone apps like GasBuddy can point you to the cheapest nearby fuel options. Some of T+L’s other favorite gas-saving tips include: pack light (less weight in your vehicle means better gas mileage); charge it (many credit cards give cash back on gas purchases); and drive steady (conserve fuel by going easy on the pedals).

No matter what route you travel and no matter how many detours you take, spring into action this season by road-tripping through America’s most awe-inspiring floral landscapes.